A bill increasing truckloads is set to go before the Legislature this week and would have a dramatic effect on the amount of trips taken by trucks carrying forest products, according to the Hardwood Federation.
The Safe Trucking Act (H.R. 3488) will be submitted as an amendment to the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015 by representatives from states with wood industry connections.
The bill would allow states to increase the weight limit for trucks traveling on federal highways to 91,000 pounds. The increased load would lead to 1.4 million fewer truck trips taken by the forest products industry for a decrease of 250 million miles driven, according to the Hardwood Federation.
The weight limit has not been increased since 1982.
The Hardwood Federation is encouraging interested parties to send their representatives a letter via an online form.
